Fred H. Rollins III, district director of sales for Delta Air Lines in Salt Lake City, will take early retirement from the At-lanta-based airline after 16 years as Delta's most visible representative and spokesman in Utah.
Rollins, 52, said Wednesday he has advised officials and Delta's 4,300 employees in Utah that he will leave the airline on March 1 after 24 years with the company.He said the early retirement is part of a voluntary severance package connected to "Leadership 7.5," Delta's cost-reduction program.
"As a result of the restructuring at Delta, the job that is evolving is not one that allows me to use my full capabilities," said Rollins.
Rollins said he had a "window" to take early retirment from Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 "and I've elected to take that."
He said it is unclear at this time what Delta will do in terms of replacing Rollins or changing his job category. Currently, the director of sales shares the company's local leadership role with the director of customer service at Salt Lake City International Airport.
Officials at Delta's Atlanta headquarters were not available for comment by press deadline Wednesday.
Rollins said he has not yet made any decision as to whether he will stay in the airline industry. "I don't have a specific job that I've accepted at this time," he said.
But the Detroit native stressed that Utah is now his home.
"I look forward to staying in Utah. I love the people and I love the quality of life here."
Rollins was the first Delta employee to come to Utah when the airline started service here on April 28, 1980 with four daily flights. Delta later acquired the assets and routes of Western Airlines and became the largest carrier in the state, operating a major "hub and spoke" routing system out of Salt Lake City. Delta now operates 172 flights per day through Salt Lake International.
Rollins joined the Navy Air Intelligence Corp after graduating from Albion College and later worked for Sak's 5th Avenue in Detroit upon leaving the service. He joined Delta in 1972 as a reservations sales agent and later became a marketing representative before being transferred to Utah.
"I had a great career with a great company with a great product," said Rollins. "I have enjoyed working with motivated and professional people at Delta. I have no regrets. I have just come to a point in my life where I need to open a new chapter and explore new opportunities. The job at Delta has evolved into one that doesn't allow me to take advantage of my capabilities."